Chapter 7

One day left.

One day until Domine and Ella’s Mating Ceremony.

I returned to our rental. Domine wasn't there. A note sat on the table.

"Halen, I have to prep for tomorrow’s ceremony tonight. I’ll probably be back late. Dinner’s in the fridge—don't forget to eat. — D"

I looked at that note and laughed. It was a cold, bitter sound. I crumpled the paper into a ball and threw it in the trash. I went into the bedroom and started packing. Clothes. My diary. The USB drive and the evidence my father left behind. Tomorrow, I was leaving this place for good.

Halfway through packing, I heard footsteps outside. Domine was back. I checked the time: 1:00 AM. His steps were light, as if he were afraid of waking me. I lay back on the bed and closed my eyes, pretending to be asleep.

The door opened. Domine stood by the bed, watching me for a moment before turning and walking out. I heard him dialing a number in the living room.

"Ella? Still up?"

He was calling her. I held my breath.

"Is everything ready for tomorrow?" Domine’s voice was incredibly tender. "Don't be nervous. It’s going to be perfect."

I couldn't hear her response, but I could hear the flirtatious tone of her voice on the other end.

"Of course," Domine laughed. "Tomorrow, I’m marking you in front of the entire pack. You are my Luna. My only Luna."

My heart felt like it was being shredded. Even though I knew this was coming, hearing it with my own ears still felt like a physical blow.

"Halen?" Domine paused. "She doesn't suspect a thing."

"I’ll stick to the plan tomorrow. First, we finish the marking ceremony. Then, the Elders will announce a 'special treatment.' To restore your wolf, we’ll need to 'supplement' it with Halen’s wolf essence."

I froze. What?

"The whole pack will think we're doing it to save you," Domine continued. "Halen will be brought to the altar, and her wolf will be extracted in front of everyone. This serves two purposes: you get a powerful wolf and become a true Luna, and Halen will be completely stripped of her power. She’ll never be a threat to you again."

I heard a faint murmur from Ella. Domine laughed again. "No, she won't die. Once her wolf is extracted, she’ll just be a regular human. She’ll never be able to shift again."

"Yeah, basically a cripple. But she’ll be alive. Alive to watch us be together. Alive to regret everything she’s done."

Tears fell silently into my pillow. That was their plan. Strip me of my wolf to feed Ella. Make me a cripple and force me to watch their happiness as punishment for crimes I never committed.

"Silvermoon Flower?" Domine’s voice suddenly turned excited. "You like the incense? That’s great. I’ve already ordered the pack to buy up every last bloom in the territory. Every single one."

"I used my authority as Alpha to ban any apothecary from selling it to anyone else. Now you can fall asleep to that scent every single night."

My nails bit into my palms. Every last flower. He gave them all to Ella while my father died in agony because we couldn't find a single petal.

"It’s not too expensive," Domine said. "You deserve the best. What's money compared to your happiness? I’d give you the whole pack if you wanted it."

Ella must have said something sweet because Domine’s voice dropped even lower. "I love you too, Ella. Halen means nothing to me. She’s just a tool—a way to pay back what she owes. Once tomorrow is over, I don't have to play this part anymore."

They talked for a long time, nothing but sweet nothings. Finally, the call ended. I heard Domine let out a long sigh. Then he whispered to himself:

"I’m sorry, Halen."

My heart skipped a beat.

"But you owe Ella this. You’re the reason she lost her wolf. You have to pay. Once it’s over and her wolf is back, I’ll forgive you. I’ll keep you hidden, as my secret lover."

"I know you’re my fated mate. I can feel the pull of the bond. So I won't let you die, and I won't let you leave. You’ll stay by my side... it just can't be public. Ella can't know. The pack can't know. You’ll have to stay in the shadows, hidden away forever."

"But that’s fine. At least I’ll still have you."

There was a strange complexity in his voice. "It’s the best way," he said. "Ella gets what she wants. I get what I need. And you, Halen, you’ll finally atone for your sins. It’s better for everyone."

I closed my eyes. He wanted to lock me away as his secret toy. Force me to live in darkness for the rest of my life. He didn't realize that was a fate far more cruel than death.

I heard Domine go into the bathroom. The sound of the shower started. A while later, he came out and lay down on the other side of the bed. I could feel him watching me for a long time. Then he reached out, trying to pull me into his arms.

I snapped my eyes open and rolled away from his touch.

"Halen?" Domine was startled. "You’re awake?"

"Yeah," I sat up, keeping my back to him. "You woke me up."

"I’m sorry," he said. "I thought you were out."

He tried to move closer again. I stood up and walked over to the window.

"Halen? What’s wrong?"

"Nothing," I said flatly. "I just can't sleep."

"I'll stay with you then." Domine stood up and walked over behind me. He placed his hands on my shoulders. I could feel his heat and that familiar scent—a scent I used to love. Now, it just made me want to gag.

"Halen," Domine whispered. "Tomorrow is our ceremony. Are you happy?"

I smiled. "Very."

"Good." Domine sounded relieved. "I was worried you weren't. I’ve been looking forward to this for three years. I'm going to give you the most perfect, grand ceremony the pack has ever seen. Everyone will know you belong to me."

He sounded so tender, as if he actually loved me.

"Domine," I said suddenly.

"Yeah?"

"Do you really love me?"

He was silent for a few heartbeats. Then he turned me around to face him.

"Of course," he said, looking into my eyes. "I love you, Halen. I’ve never loved anyone like this. Why would you even ask?"

"No reason. Just nerves, I guess." I pushed him away. "I’m tired. I'm going back to bed."

"Halen—" He tried to grab my arm.

"Don't touch me," I snapped, pulling away.

"Why?" Domine frowned. "You're acting so strange tonight."

"I'm fine." I climbed back into bed and lay down with my back to him. "I'm just exhausted. I want to rest before tomorrow."

Domine stood by the bed for a long time before finally sighing and lying down.

"Fine," he said. "Get some rest. Tomorrow is going to be a beautiful day. I promise."

He reached out to hold me from behind. I moved to the very edge of the bed, putting as much distance between us as possible. He fell silent. His hand hung in the air for a moment before he slowly let it drop.

"Okay. Goodnight, Halen."

"Goodnight."

The room went dark. I listened to his breathing as it eventually evened out into sleep. I stayed wide awake, staring into the blackness. Everything I had just heard played on a loop in my mind.

Tomorrow, they were going to tear my wolf away. Tomorrow, Domine was going to mark Ella.

I wasn't going to let that happen. I felt the USB drive in my pocket.

Dad, I whispered in my mind. Tomorrow, I get our revenge. I promise.

I closed my eyes. This was my last night in this pack. I took a deep breath and pushed all my memories down deep. It was over. Tomorrow, I’d cut every tie to my past. Tomorrow, a new Halen would walk toward a brand new future.

#